Grapefruit Sandwich Cake

Ingredients

For the grapefruit curd

• 80g/3 oz unsalted butter
• 80g/3 oz sugar
• 3 large free-range eggs
• 125ml/4fl oz grapefruit juice (around 2½ grapefruits)
• 1 grapefruit, zest only

For the candied grapefruit peel

• 1 grapefruit
• 75g/2½ oz caster sugar, plus extra for coating

For the cake

• 200g/7 oz caster sugar
• 200g/7 oz baking spread
• 210g/7½ oz self-raising flour
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 25g/1 oz ground almonds
• 1 grapefruit, zest grated and half the juice

For the grapefruit sugar syrup

• 75ml/2½fl oz grapefruit juice (around 1½ grapefruits)
• 75g/2½ oz caster sugar

For the mascarpone cream

• 100g/3½ oz mascarpone
• 200g/7 oz double cream
• 50g/1¾ oz icing sugar, sifted

Instructions

1. 1
   For the grapefruit curd, place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Melt the butter in the bowl before adding all the other ingredients and whisk with an electric hand-held mixer until thickened. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge to set further. (You will make more grapefruit curd than you need for the cake. Refrigerate the rest and eat within a week.)
2. 2
   For the candied grapefruit peel, peel the grapefruit and cut the peel to the desired length and width. Place in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil for 10-15 seconds and then drain the peel. Return the peel to the same saucepan and add the sugar with 75ml/2½fl oz of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the liquid is syrupy. Drain the peel and coat in more caster sugar before leaving to cool and dry on a wire rack.
3. 3
   Preheat the oven to 180C/160C(fan)/Gas 4. Grease and line 2 x 20cm/8in sandwich tins.
4. 4
   For the cake, mix all the ingredients together in an electric mixer. Divide the mixture equally between the two tins and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool in the tins for five minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
5. 5
   Meanwhile, for the grapefruit sugar syrup, place the grapefruit juice and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for around five minutes, or until the syrup begins to thicken. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
6. 6
   While the cakes are still warm, pierce the surface with a cocktail stick all over. Drizzle the syrup evenly over both cakes. Allow to cool completely.
7. 7
   For the mascarpone cream, whisk the ingredients together until thick and airy, but not too stiff.
8. 8
   To decorate the cake, place the bottom layer of the cake onto a serving plate.
9. 9
   Transfer a quarter of the mascarpone cream into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm/½in plain nozzle, and set aside. Then spread on half of the remaining mascarpone cream onto the cake. Spoon over a generous amount of the grapefruit curd – some curd may spill over the edges but don’t worry about this.
10. 10
    Place the other cake on top and spread the remaining cream on top of the cake, smoothing it all over so that it is evenly distributed.
11. 11
    Using the piping bag, pipe balls of icing around the edges and centre of the cake. Place a few strips of the candied peel on each ball of icing. Serve straight away, or refrigerate until ready to be devoured.